Montreal recently hosted a record-setting WNBA regular-season game at the Bell Centre, where the Toronto Tempo faced a 108-95 defeat against the Dallas Wings. The game drew an attendance of 20,966 fans, establishing a new record for a regular-season WNBA game. This surpasses the previous record of 20,711, which was set in 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Despite the loss, the event marked a significant moment for the league and for Canadian basketball. The Tempo, Canada’s sole WNBA team, are in their expansion season and aim to represent the country. The substantial crowd in Montreal demonstrated strong support for professional women’s basketball, even though the team on the court was from Toronto.
A Historic Night for WNBA in Canada
The record attendance in Montreal highlighted the growing interest in the WNBA. Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the unique opportunity the team has in creating firsts for Canadian basketball. She noted that the team considers itself “Canada’s team” and is taking the show on the road to engage fans across the country. Brondello believes that once fans experience a game, they will appreciate the high level of play from the world’s best players.
The game was part of the Tempo’s inaugural season, which includes four home games played outside of Toronto. The team is scheduled to host the Portland Fire on August 21 and the Las Vegas Aces on August 23 at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. The Montreal event also opened discussions about the possibility of a permanent WNBA team in the city, potentially fostering a rivalry between Toronto and Montreal in yet another sport.
Isabelle Harrison, a forward for the Tempo, expressed the significance of the moment, stating that the event was “years in the making” and “bigger than us.” She hoped that Canada would be proud of the team’s efforts. The Tempo roster is international, with players and coaches representing nine different countries.
Key Performances and Team Dynamics
In the game against the Wings, Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, delivered a season-high performance with 34 points for Dallas. She also contributed six rebounds and six assists. Jessica Shepard added 20 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for the Wings, who improved their record to 15-8. For the Tempo, Marina Mabrey led the scoring with 34 points, while Laura Juskaite added 25 points. The game was a close contest with six lead changes in the third quarter, but Dallas pulled away in the fourth, outscoring Toronto 24-10.
The Tempo have been facing challenges in their expansion season, with several key players out due to injuries. Coach Brondello acknowledged that the team fought hard despite having four main players sidelined, but ultimately “ran out of gas.” The team’s delayed flight to Montreal also limited their time to explore the city before the game.
In response to their frontcourt needs, the Tempo signed Canadian Kayla Alexander to a seven-day hardship contract. This marked Alexander’s first return to the WNBA since 2020. Her Canadian citizenship allowed for immediate integration into the team without visa delays. Alexander is expected to be available for at least the next two games, after which the team will decide on her future. Harrison, who previously played with Alexander, noted her steady presence and rebounding ability.
Looking Ahead for the Tempo
The loss to the Wings marked the Tempo’s fourth consecutive defeat, representing their longest losing streak of the season. The team faces a challenging schedule for the remainder of the season, which is considered the league’s fourth-most difficult. Following the game in Montreal, the Tempo are scheduled to host the New York Liberty on Sunday, also at the Bell Centre. The Liberty roster includes Sabrina Ionescu, the 2020 first overall draft pick.
The Bell Centre also holds the record for the highest regular-season attendance in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, with 21,105 fans attending a game between Toronto and Montreal on April 20, 2024. The Tempo’s ownership group includes Montreal Canadiens owner and president Geoff Molson and alternate governor France Margaret Belanger.
The Wings, after their victory, are set to host the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
